Canterbury Elementary Earns National Recognition, Becomes PTA School of Excellence

 

If you asked the students and families at Canterbury Elementary, they would tell you they go to an excellent school. But the National PTA recently made that designation official, including Canterbury as one of just eight schools in the state of Ohio named a National PTA School of Excellence for 2024-26. 

 The prestigious honor celebrates the school’s “outstanding commitment to strengthening family-school partnerships,” according to PTA.org. And according to both PTA President Alexa New and Principal Erica Wigton, it’s well-deserved.

 Ms. New detailed some of the many things the PTA does for Canterbury’s students, teachers and school community, including funding 100% of all field trips so there’s no out-of-pocket cost for families; coordinating more than 80 after-school programs “so our students have access to fun, educational, and safe after school activities;” offering classroom mini-grants; and hosting inclusive community-building events like dances, movie nights, and school celebrations like their ice cream social and carnival.

 All of these activities and initiatives are bolstered by the PTA’s belief that every family should feel like they belong. “We hear so many people say ‘the village’ doesn’t exist anymore, but honestly, we see it every day at Canterbury,” said the school’s application. “It's in the way families show up for each other, step in when there's a need, and speak up to make things better. We work hard to make sure every family knows: you have a place here, and we’re in this together.”

 One unique action that Ms. New is particularly proud of is their approach to school pictures. After realizing that the images of students of color were dark beyond recognition, she and Dr. Wigton pored over every single photo before working with the photography company who edited and reprinted all the photos in question. They also worked to adjust the camera settings for future Picture Days. It was a relatively simple action that showed all students they were valued and ensured every family could have photos they were proud of.

The PTA is also cognizant of the fact that parents have busy schedules, with jobs and other children to attend to, so in addition to online meetings, they intentionally create informal opportunities to communicate. Chatting with parents on the playground before or after school is more than just casual friendliness – they bring whatever they’re hearing, from simple questions about what time the school day ends to broader issues like traffic safety during dropoff and pickup, back to the PTA.

This act of deep listening and responding is a core tenet of the PTA and the building. “Ultimately, we want families to know: You don’t need a title or a vote to belong here,” said Ms. New. “If you care about this school, you are already part of the PTA.”

Dr. Wigton believes that Canterbury is “so fortunate to have such a truly special PTA. They put together fun, family-engaging events, after-school activities, and classroom field trips. They are phenomenal, and we are deeply grateful for all they do for our school community.”

The parents of Canterbury feel the same way about their principal. “We would not be able to do any of this without Dr. Wigton,” said Ms. New. A key feature of the school PTA is the presence of their principal at all meetings. She takes questions and addresses issues, listening to every single comment and answering every single question. 

“It is a true partnership,” said Ms. New. “And we are so lucky to have her.”